 "Photo: Chandler West")
With the Oscars looming ever closer, Diversions has decided to take this opportunity to offer up its assessment of the past year in movies, with due consideration to those contenders vying for the golden statuettes come Mar. 7. The following is part one of a two-part series in which Film Queue’s Quintin Slovek and I will hash out the various ephemera, lacuna and minutiae of this annual industry circus. Let the debate begin.
I’d like to begin with a hark back to Bright Star. Remember that film? Released in September, the film garnered ecstatic reviews from practically every corner, from its cinematography to its direction. Abbie Cornish’s turn as the love interest to a despondent John Keats (Ben Whishaw) drew particular attention. Now, even with a list of 10 nominees to choose from instead of the usual five, members of the Academy have seen it fit to relegate it to the category for best costume design. I understand that its meager box office draw inevitably hurt its chances among a group of voters eager to lure back public interest (and viewership) to the awards, yet its omission, to my eyes at least, remains glaring. I am left to conclude that other films split the difference among Bright Star’s many virtues — the nomination for a female director went to Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker instead of Jane Campion of Bright Star, while Carey Mulligan (An Education) stood in for Cornish as resident ingénue in the best actress category. Oh, and we can’t forget about Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The sixth installment managed a nomination for best cinematography. Yep, it seems the Academy has gone full-blown populist this year.
Speaking of populism, what’s with all the hate for Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air? That film elicited a backlash worthy of a Michael Bay blockbuster, with many formerly approving critics sharpening their knives as soon as its six nominations were announced. Perhaps I’m exaggerating. I, for one, enjoyed the film, from George Clooney’s reliably cynical portrayal, to his undeniable chemistry with co-star Vera Farmiga. More importantly, no other movie (save perhaps The Hurt Locker) managed to come close to capturing the zeitgeist of the times. Of the nominees for best picture, this is the one I’d like to see win.
Which brings us to Avatar. I’m not going to spend too much time on this one, considering that it makes for an easy target (and by “it” I’m referring to both the film and its director, James Cameron). Suffice to say that if the Academy is indeed intent on proving itself relevant to the American public, then we can expect to see Cameron schlepping up to the podium at the end of the night, eager to reclaim his crown as “king of the world.” There is something to be said for his steady directorial hand, even if his writing induces dry heaving.
Finally, and before I hand over the reins to my colleague, a note on the race for bestactress: In a competition that usually delivers a certain degree of tension (will Kate Winslet beat out Meryl Streep? Will Helen Mirren beat out Meryl Streep? Will Meryl Streep beat out everyone else?) I find this year’s race a tad disappointing. It seems to have come down to Streep and Sandra Bullock, an actress whose charms have forever escaped me. And while La Streep has knocked down her own record multiple times (this is her 16th nomination), she has only ever won two. Bullock may be in the lead, but for once I’d like to see experience trump youth.
I know I’ve left out many topics and can already see the hateful messages accruing. I leave it up to Quintin Slovek to fill in next week where I’ve left off. Until then, happy viewing.
Be the first to comment on this article!